LIZ LAND
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR MARKETING, SALES AND DIGITAL MEDIA
FRANK ERWIN CENTER, AUSTIN, TEXAS
UNIVERSITY: University of Texas, Austin
HOMETOWN: San Antonio
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: When I first moved to Austin, I applied for a job through the financial aid office. I passed a typing and spelling test, so they sent me to the arena to apply for a position. Back then we just called it the Special Events Center. I got the job and I started part time as a runner. Getting a job here helped me decide what I wanted to do with my career and I changed my degree to advertising.
MENTORS: Our Associate Director Jimmy Earl, he’s done so much for me. And our building GM John Graham. They both have helped guide me and given me opportunities. Also Chris Plonsky, who is the Women’s Athletics Director here at Texas. She is very impressive and to see what she has accomplished is incredible.
HOBBIES: I love to work out and do circuit training. I also love spinning and am just getting into Pilates. I have to make time to work out — I get up very early to get to the gym. It’s a very important part of my day. I also like red wine.
ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU: I want to learn how to DJ. It looks like fun and I think I would be pretty good at it.
(512) 471-6703
STEVE TADLOCK
GENERAL MANAGER
SAVE MART CENTER, FRESNO, CALIF.
HOMETOWN: Born in Charlotte, N.C, and grew up in Sarasota, Fla.
UNIVERSITY: Saint Thomas in Miami
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: Orange Bowl stadium in Miami working as an event coordinator, as well as Miami Marine Stadium working for the city. We did Monsters of Rock Tour, the Rolling Stones Steel Wheels tour, George Michael and 2 Live Crew. I also worked at the Miami Arena from 1990-1996 – the three buildings I started in have all since been closed down.
MENTORS: I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great industry people who I’ve been able to come up with and work for. Victor Cohen gave me the opportunity to move to Memphis and help run the FedEx Forum. I also owe a lot to Mike McGee and Russ Simons.
HOBBIES: I go to work to relax – that’s the easy part of my life. I have five children so I often joke going home is harder than my day job. My oldest is a senior in high school and my youngest is six years old. When I’m not working I’m heading to some activity, whether it’s cheerleading, judo, soccer, softball, swimming or flag football. Family time is all-consuming, but it’s something I really enjoy doing.
ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU: I was born left-handed, and then broke my left arm two years in a row, in second and third grades. I had to learn how to do everything with my right hand — and now I’m ambidextrous.
(559) 347-3401
SONYA DAVIES
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
AMERICAN BANK CENTER, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
HOMETOWN: Bedford, Texas
UNIVERSITY: Texas A&M, College Station
FIRST JOB IN THE INDUSTRY: After I graduated from college, I moved back to the Fort Worth-metro area and took a job with a small meeting planners association. I eventually moved out to Corpus Christi to take a sales job with the Omni Hotel, before going over to the convention center. I started off in sales but realized I had a knack for operations.
FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB: I love helping the clients make their visions into reality. It’s incredible to see an event go from an idea on paper to something attended by thousands of people.
HOBBIES: I am a serious quilter. It’s a hobby I first started in junior high and have continued to this day. Each year I go to two quilting conventions — one here in Texas and another in Delaware.
ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU: When I was 11 years old, I taught myself Morse Code while attending summer camp.
(361) 826-4700